Hi Rob and thanks for all of this! I shall correct my ‘institute’ error straight away but will undoubtedly be blaming my looming rejection on this transgression! As for the tonal sketches… you’re quite right – some bear much closer resemblance to the final painting than others. In this case, the sketch was probably closer to my original photo which was very dark – and when I started painting I thought that by trying to go so dark might not work so well. I’m finding the sketches really helpful for working out colour mixes as I do them and for working out ‘what’s most important’. When I start painting, the sketch is helpful but the painting usually ends up taking on a life of its own. Good luck for today’s announcement Rob – my fingers are crossed for both of us!

Many thanks for this Paul, really kind of you! I should know by lunchtime today (so my mood for the entire weekend is hanging in the balance!) 😅

Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate it and totally agree with you about green on a grey days!